The railway station in Aldershot has been a transport hub for soldiers since it was built and sent thousands of Shots fans to Wembley earlier this year.

But neither achievement has managed to help it gain a place on Historic England’s National Heritage List for England.

Liam Harding, who lives in Hampshire and is a former South Western Railway train dispatcher, is disappointed that his listing application for the station - opened by the London and South Western Railway in the summer of 1870 - was rejected.

He said: “I’m seriously surprised that the station has been denied national listing, given its historical significance beyond a local point of view.

“The station has sent millions of passengers all around the country for just under 200 years, which is no mean feat at all.”

Other sites in Aldershot are on the list - the cathedral, the military museum and the statue of the Duke of Wellington - but the station does not fit the criteria.

Historic England told Mr Harding: “We appreciate your time and enthusiasm spent considering places that could be added to the National Heritage List for England.

“Unfortunately the current circumstances of Aldershot train station do not fall into any of the three categories used by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to prioritise designation resources on those sites that are most in need of protection.

“Those categories are: Threat - any building or site under serious threat of demolition or major alteration; Strategic Priority - any building or site that is within the remit of one of our strategic listing priorities; and Significance - any building or site that has very strong potential for inclusion on the National Heritage List for England.”

Despite his bid being turned down, history lover Mr Harding said: “I’m proud of what I’ve done. I can’t think of many who would attempt to do what I’ve done.”